Ration



Mar. 20, 1923.

0.1:. HUEBNER IGNITION SYSTEM 2 sheets-spleen l Filed Jan.

A TTORNEY Patented 'Mar. 20, 1923 UNITED STATES I 1,449,323 PATENTOFFICE.

OT'IO E. HUEBNER, OI! TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO INDUSTRIAL RESEARCHOORPO- RATION, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

IGNITION SYSTEM.

Application filed January 11, 1919. Serial No. 270,684.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orro E. HUEBNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Toledo, Ohio, in the county ofLucas and the State ofOhio,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I ition YSystems, of which I declare the fol owing to be a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition systems for internalcombustion engines and consists principally in the provision of meansfor increasing the permeability of the field of the induction coil,whereby the mutual inductanceof the primary and secondary windings isincreased,thus increasing the electromotive force induced in the secondary and improvingthe spark. produced in the spark plug. f I M So faras I am aware, induction coils for gas engine ignition systemsheretofore have been built with fixed amounts ofmetal in their magneticpaths. At starting and at low engine speeds, a magnetic path ofconsiderable permeability is desirable, in order that there maybe alarge inductance, the time interval between each make-and break in theprimary circuit being sufficient to permit the current to approach moreor less closely the maximum value possible. At high engine speeds, thetime interval referred to is much smaller, and consequently it isdesirable to reduce the permeability of the magnetic path of the coil inorder to reduce the la g in the current and give it an opportunity tobuild up. Because of these con ditions a coil built for maximumefficiency at high engine speeds produces an unsatisfactory spark atstarting.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a coil which iscapable of giving something near the maximum efl'iciency both atstarting and at high engine speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby thepermeability of the magnetic path of the coil may be increased duringlow running speed of the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for producing{ill'lIlCIBiLSB in the permeability of the magnetic path of the coil bythe actuation of the means which set in motion the engine startingmotor, thus providing good ignition while the current through the coilis reduced by the consumption of the starting motor.

Other objects and objects relating to details of construction andeconomies of manufacture will appear as I proceed with the descriptionof that embodiment of the invention which, for the purposes of thepresent application, I have illustrated in the ac companying drawing, inwhich:

Figure I is a diagran'nnatic viewof my invention as applied to an enginehaving an el ctric starting motor.

Figure II is a similar view showing a portion only of the circuits andapparatus to which a modified form of the invention is applied.

Figure III is a diagrammatic view showing a further modification inwhich the metallic conductor for the magnetic lines of force is arrangedto'be moved toward and away from the coil by means entirely separatefrom any other control, i

Figure IV is a diagrammatic view showing an electro-magnetic meansactuated while the starting motor is in operation for drawing themagnetic conductor into position to shorten the magnetic path.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theviews.

In the drawing the gas engine is not H lustrated, but its spark plugsare diagrammatically indicated at 10. In this case they are shown asfour in number although the invention isapplicable to an engine withany-number offcylinders and spark plugs. A current distributor 11carries the current to the spark plugs in the different cylinders at theproper times for explosion of the charges, the distributor being drivenat cam shaft speed. 12 is also driven at cam shaft speed and is so timedwith respect to the distributor as to break the primar circuit each timethat a secondary or hig tension circuit is established through one ofthe spark plugs.

A condenser 13 is shunted around the interrupter 12- to reduce sparking,as will be well understood. The primary. circuit includes a battery 14or other suitable current The current interru'pter' source, the primarywinding 15 of an induction coil and a switch 16. The secondary Winding17 of the induction coil is joined to the distributor at one end and atthe other to the ground.

As shown in Figure I, the battery 14 may be employed also to supplycurrent to an electric starting motor 18 which, for pur; poses ofillustration only, is shown supplied with a series field 19. In themotor circuit I have shown a push-buttonswitch 20 normally held'open bya spring 21. The. closing of this switch puts the starting motor incircuit with the battery to start the engine. This is a preferredembodiment,

,but I desire it to be understood that any means of starting the enginemay be employed without departing from my invention in its broad aspect.

In the drawing I have shown three different Ways for regulating theamount of metal in the magnetic path of the ignition coil. In each ofthe views the numeral 22 represents a metallic core, while in FiguresII, III, IV I have illustrated in addition metal shells 23, 24 and 29respectively. The shells serve the same purpose as the cores, that isthey all constitute paths of low reluctance for the magnetic lines offorce. In Figure I the core 22, in Figure II the shell 23. and inFigures III and IV both the core and shell. are movable longitudinallyof the induction coil. Any suitable means for accomplishingthis,movement may be employed, but I prefer to make use 'of a B'owden wireconnection 25, which enables me to locate the control button 20 in anydesirable and convenient position as, for instance, upon the instrumentboard or in the floor of an automobile. Also this type of connectionlends itself readily to attachment to a control lever for any type ofpower driven engine starter. I have illustrated it only as connected tothe switch controlling an electric starting motor, but its applicationto other kinds of motors will be obvious.

In Figure .II the core 22 is immovable and extends beyond thecoil-at oneend 26 in order to form a guide for the smaller portion 27 of the shell23. In Fig. III I have shown the control button as unattached to anystarting device, but as conveniently located "for operation at any timeeither at starting or while the engine is running at -low speed.

In Figure IV I have illustratcd'an electro-magnetically opera-ted meansfor moving the core and shell to reduce the length of the ma gnetic pathof the coil. In the present instance, this means consists of a coil 28of low resistance wire'surrounding the shell 29 and connected by meansof circuitwires 30 and 31 in parallel with the starting motor 11. Aspring'32 tends to hold the core 22 and shell 29 partially out of thecoil. henever a current oi suiiicient strength is passed through thecoil 28, the magnetic lines oi force induced thereby exert a pull uponthe shell 29 which acts against the tension of spring 32 to draw thecore and shell into closer union with the coil, thus increasing thepermeability of the field as heretofore explained. Any source of currentmay be connected across the wires 30, 31 and a switch for controllingthe circuit may be located in any desired position, but I prefer'toutilize the battery lei which turnishes current to the starting motorand to control the circuit 30, 31 by the same switch 33 Mat is utilizedto start the motor 11.

The operation of my invention will be obvious from the abovedescription. In starting an engine the push button 20 is pressed tooperate the Bowdeirwire 25 for shifting the core or shell or both intoa. more effective position and the engine shaft is revolved by any meansavailable for the purpose. In the constructions illustrated in Figures Iand II. the pressing of the pushbutton 20 not only shifts the magneticconductor ot' the coil, but sets in operation the engine starter aswell, and 'when the starte is permitted to cease operating, the spring21 acting throughthe. Bowden wiire retracts the magnetic conductor. Asimilar result is brought about by the means illustrated in Figure IV,but instead of the Bowden wire connection I use an electrical connectionby means of which an auxiliary coil 28 may be energized to shift thecore and shell.

In addition to its use in the starting of an engine my invention may beemployed it desired, for improving the spark at any time during theoperation of the engine at low speeds. For this purpose I have shown inFigure III'a control button 20 which has no connection with the startingmechanism. While I have described my invention in more or less detailand as being embodied in certain forms, I do not desire or intend to belimited thereto, a s quite to the contrary, my invention contemplatesany properchanges in the form, construction and arrangement of the partsas well as the omission of immaterial elements and certain co-operatingparts and the substitution of equivalents therefor, as circumstances maysuggest or- .necess1ty render expedient.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an internal combustion engine, a starter. means for setting saidstarter in motion, an ignition system for the engine including aninduction coil and means actuated by said first named means forincreasing the magnetic permeability of the field of said coil. i

In an internal combustion engine, a starter, means for setting saidstarter in motion, an ignition system including an induction coil, ametallic, magnetic conductor for said coil and means actuated by saidfirst named means for increasing the extent of said magnetic conductorwithin the mag netic path of the/coil.

3. In an internal combustion engine, a starter, means for setting saidstarter in motion, an ignition system including an in- Ill normallyextending only partially into the magnetic path of said coil and meansactuated by said first named means for moving electric motor, anignition system including.

an induction coil, a metallic. magnetic conductor for said coil, acommon source of current for said electric motor and induction coil, aswitch controlling the connection be tween said current source and motorand means operated simultaneously with the closing o't said switch forincreasing'the extent of said magnetic conductor within the magneticpath of the coil.

(5. In an internal combustion engine, an electric starting motor, anignition system including an induction coil, a metallic, magneticconductor normally extending only partially through the magnetic pat-hof said coil, a common source of current for said electric motor andinduction coil, a switch controlling the connection between said currentsource and motor and means operated simultaneously with the closing ofsaid switch for moving said magnetic conductor further into said path.

7. In an ignition system, an induction coil and e'lectro-magnetlc meansfor increasing the magnetic permeability of the field of said coil.

8. In an engine ignition system, an induction coil, a metallic magneticconductor for said coil, an eleetro-magnetically operated means toincrease the extent of said mag netic conductor within the magnetic pathof the coil.

9. In an engine ignition system, an induction coil, a metallic magneticconductor normally extending only partially into the magnetic path ofsaid coil, an electro-magnetically operated means for moving saidmagnetic conductor further into" said path, whereby the inductance ofthe coil at low engine speeds may be increased.

10. In an internal combustion engine, a starter, means for setting saidstarter in inotion, an ignition system for the engine, including aninduction coil, an electro-magnetically operated means actuated by saidfirst named means for increasing the mag netic pern ieability ot' thefield of said coil.

11. In an internal combiistion engine, a starter, means tor setting saidstarter in motion, an ignition system including an induction coil, ametallic magnetic conductor for said coil. and electro-imagneticallyoperated means actuated by said first named means for increasing theextent oi said magnetic conductor within the magnetic path of the coil.

12. In an internal combustion engine, a starter. means for setting saidstarter in motion, an ignition s "tein including an induction coil, ametallic magnetic conductor extendingonly"partially into the magneticpath of said coil. and electro-magnetically operated means actuated bysaid first named means for moving said magnetic conductor further intosaid path.

13. In an internal combustion engine, an

electric starting motor, an ignition system including an induction coil,a common source of current for said electric motor and induction coil, aswitch controlling connection between said current source and motor andelectro-magnetic means operated simultaneously with the closing of saidswitch for increasing the magnetic permeability of the field of saidcoil.

14. In an internal combustion engine, an electric starting motor, anignition system including an induction coil, a metallic magneticconductor for said coil, a common sourceof current for said'electricmotor and induction coil, a switch controlling connection between saidcurrent source and motor and electro-n'iagnetic means operatedsimultaneously with the closing of said switch for increasing the extentof said magnetic conductor within the magneticpath of the coil.

15. In an internal combustion engine, an electric starting motor, anignition "systemincluding an induction coil, a metallic mag neticconductor normally extending only partially through the magnetic path ofsaid coil, a common source of current for. said electric motor andinduction coil, a switch controlling the connectionbetween said, currentsource and motor, and electro-magnetic means operated simultaneouslywith the closing of said switch for moving said magnetic conductorfurther int-o said path.

16. In an ignition system, an induction coil, electro-magnetic means forincreasing the magnetic permeability of said coil, a motor and singleswitching means for energizing both said motor and said electromagneticmeans.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

OTTO E. HUEBNER.

